|
What does the CCC offer its choristers?
The Cantare Children’s Choir provides a fun, learning
environment in which choristers gain a rounded choir education.
We offer tuition for children in singing, dance and drama in a fun and
enjoyable environment. No previous musical experience is required to join
the choir, just enthusiasm and an interest in singing. In addition to vocal
training, our choristers are also encouraged to develop movement and
performance skills - even our most junior choristers have the opportunity to
perform in on stage.
The choir has performed with many of South-Africa’s finest
entertainers and artists. The senior choristers have the opportunity to
participate in national and international tours. We aim for the highest
standard in performance and presentation, and our choristers have received
widespread acclaim in South Africa and around the world.
Some of our highlights include the participation in the 12 Days of Christmas
on SABC 2, DSTV’s OneGospel Choir Competition, the 3rd 4th
and 5th World Choir Games in Germany China and Austria. At the
last WCG the choir received a Gold Medal in the section for the section
Gospel and Spiritual. They received silver medals in the Children’s Choir
and the Pop Choral Competitions.
The comments most frequently heard from parents and choristers, however, do
not pertain only to the standard and quality of the singing. Long standing
members of the choir have listed the following as some of the most important
aspects of their years within the choir:
-
enormous growth in their self esteem and confidence
-
lifelong friendships they have made
-
development of leadership and time management skills
For more information on fees, class availability and what
will happen at your child’s audition or assessment, please contact our
office.
Choir Camps
Choir camps are fun-filled weekends of song, dance and drama.
They are an important and compulsory part of the curriculum which provides
an extension to the work covered in weekly classes.
The development choirs, Cantare and Harmonia attend weekend-camps. As much
as an extra term's work is completed in two full days, as choristers work
with professional choreographers, drama tutors and our own music staff. They
learn new music, and participate in workshops with guest specialists.
Jubilate choristers do not attend a Week-end Camp.
The Cantare choir organisation is open to any child aged five and over who
has an interest in singing and performance. Class costs vary depending on
the level but the average cost for Jublitate choristers is R1700 per
annum. No prior musical experience is required.
If you're aged between 5 and 10, you can simply come along
and try out a class in the level of the choir most relevant to your age. If
you enjoy the class and a place is available, enrolment can be organised
immediately.
If you're aged 11 and above... you can take part in a group assessment
workshop to determine which level of the choir would be best for you to
begin training in. You will be contacted to let you know into which level of
the choir your child has been accepted. If you would like to join and a
place is available, enrolment can be organised immediately.
For more information, please contact our office.
The Vision and Mission of the Choir organisation:
The vision of the Cantare Children’s and Development choirs are to be truly
representative of all cultures that will produce a unique South African
sound, that will represent the community and South Africa and that will be
the benchmark of quality choral music, quality education and goodwill
between people.
Medium term goals are to undertake national and international tours and to
take part in various national and international choir festivals and
competitions Our long-term goals are to become one of the most acclaimed
choirs in South Africa.
History of the Choir
Based in Ekurhuleni South-region, and comprising of members from Alberton,
the Southern suburbs of Johannesburg, Heidelberg and Vanderbijlpark, the
Cantare Children's Choir has over the past 14 years established a name for
excellence in the performance of choir music.
The choir members are multi-cultural with a Christian character. The
choristers are selected from grades 4 - 7, and boys must have treble
("unbroken") voices. The choir year is from October to September, with
auditions for new members taking place during the second term. Members
practice in Alberton once a week, and also undertake regular choir camps and
week-end tours.
Founded in 1995 by Ida Strydom in conjunction with the former Transvaal
Education Department, the choir's vision has always been limited by a lack
of resources and funding. The choir was privatised and funded itself through
concerts, fundraising and membership fees. The choir organisation enriched
the lives of many children who all set out to do what the Italian word
cantare means: to sing!
Choir parents, in conjunction with musical director and
conductors carry the responsibility for administration, fundraising,
marketing, finances, performances and tours.
The Cantare's Children Choir is recognised nationally and internationally
for their contribution to the appreciation and performance for music, their
outstanding sound quality, as well as their high level of discipline. The
young members develop outstanding social skills through discipline the choir
environment requires, and are known to achieve academically because of this.
Tours to Mpumalanga, Kimberley and the Drakensberg, Germany,
China and Austria.
Performances with acclaimed artists and choirs: Drakensberg Boys' Choir,
Copenhagen Boy's Choir, Ratcliffe Choral Society, Harvard Ladies Choir,
Cantate Chamber Choir, Colla Voce, East Rand, Ekurhuleni Youth Choirs and
various children's choirs (Pretoria, Jacaranda, East Rand, West Rand and
Kimberley) Acclaimed artists and performers: Andre Schwartz, Cutt Glas,
Rina Hugo, Manuel Escorsio, Juanita du Plessis, Coenie de Villiers, Heinz
Winkler, Anke and Jodan
Performances and Concert Tours
1996: An extended tour of the Western and Northern Cape with a performance
at the KKNK where the choir received a standing ovation. A demonstration
choir at the Tygerberg Teacher's Centre.
1998: Received a Golden Award and a second place at the International
Children and Youth Choir Competition held in Pretoria. They received a gold
medal from the Alberton Civic Awards for this achievement.
1999: Sang the Intermediate Examination for Children's Choirs at UNISA and
passed with honours. The choir was awarded with a silver medal from the
Alberton Civic Awards for this achievement.
2002: The choir performed at the National Phillip McLachlan Workshop in
Bloemfontein, organised by the South African Choral Society.
2003: Participated in the Music of the Mountains Festival, hosted by the
Drakensberg Boys' Choir in May.2004: Participated in the 3rd Choir Olympics,
Bremen, Germany. The choir received a Golden Diploma and Bronze Medal in the
competition: Folklore a Cappella.The Cantare Development Choirs in Katlehong,
Thokoza and Tembisa was established. These choirs are funded by the
NLDTF.2005: The current conductor of the Cantare and Harmonia Girls’ Choir,
Ida Strydom was awarded outstanding choir conductor by the South African
Choral Society.
2006: Participated in the 4th World Choir Games in Xiamen, China. The choir
received a Golden Diploma and a Silver Medal in the competition: Children's
Choirs.
In August the Harmonia Girls’ Choir was founded with girls from Grade 8 –
10
Participated in A Miracle Called Christmas at the Standard Bank Arena in
December. They also staged a Christmas show for charity at the Boma Barnyard
in Alberton. The choir was also awarded: Outstanding Children's Choir of
2006 by the South African Choral Society at their annual choral awards.
The Board of Directors was also awarded in the category: Outstanding
Contribution in Choral Music.
The NLDTF was also awarded in the category: Outstanding Sponsorship for Arts
and Culture specifically sponsoring the Cantare Children's Choir to the 4th
World Choir Games.
2007: The Harmonia Girls’ Group was the winner of the Tehila, Radio
Gospel’s Competition for big choirs.
2008: The Harmonia Girls’ Choir received a gold award at the Animato
national competition and was placed second in the category for youth choirs.
The tour choir participated in the 5th World Choir Games, Graz Austria. Te
Received a gold medal and 2 silver medals.
2008/9: Winners of DSTV’S OneGospel competition.
Auditions and
assessments
Auditions for new members of the Cantare Choirs take place from January to
January each year, depending on availability of space in each choir group.
Music Programmes
Jubilate Junior Choir
Children from 5 – 10 years. Cost R390 per term.
Canto Development Choir
– 9 – 12 Years
Outreach programme and Development Choirs
Thokoza Development Choir
Katlehong Development Choir
Tembisa Development Choir
Children from these areas from 8 to 14 years are selected from different
schools. These choirs are sponsored by the NLDTF. They also have the
opportunity to be selected for the Cantare Children’s Choir.
Cantare Concert Choir:
Choristers from the Development Choirs, who have mastered the acquired
skills, will be considered for this choir. Choristers must participate at
least one year in one of the development choir before they are considered
for the next level.
Cantare Girl's Choir: Harmonia
Choristers from the Cantare Concert Choir and senior choristers of the
Development Choirs can audition for this choir. Girls are selected by
strict audition from high schools in the Ekurhuleni Metro pole as well as
the Far East and West Rand and the Greater Johannesburg Metro pole.
Enquiries can be made at 082-257-1407 / 073-232-0941 or at the Cantare
Office on 011-908-5616 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
How do I join?
For further information contact the office:
011-908-5616
Email:
cantare@telkomsa.net
Right click here
to
download the application form
|
